State House District 68 or 69, whatever it takes.
On Tuesday, I had lunch with a fellow neighborhood activist and "reformist" at Costa Azul over in East Tulsa. During lunch the conversation turned to SB 1324, which was recently defeated, and then we discussed Oklahoma politics and the need to get more "homeowner friendly" representatives elected. In my district, SH District 70, Rep. Ron Peters was a sponsor of HB 2559 which was the Oklahoma State House version of SB 1324. Thankfully, HB 2559 died and enough people got involved with SB 1324 that our State Senators voted "nay" on this piece of legislation.
Our conversation then turned to SH District 69 where longtime Rep. Fred Perry is term-limiting out this year. We both were amazed at the number of contenders that have thrown their hat in the ring. To date, all the candidates are Republican and include: Jeff Applecamp, Lisa Debolt, Darrell Gwartney, Fred Jordan, and Chris Medlock.
Normally I don't pay much attention to State elections, but with the recent shennanigans of SB 1324 and HB 2559, I have come to the realization that local issues can be affected severely by what's happening in Oklahoma City. During our lunch discussion of the candidates of SH District 69, I heard rumblings that 3 out of the 5 candidates haven't lived in the district for very long. This "short timer" list includes: Jeff Applekamp, Darrell Gwartney, and Fred Jordan.
In my opinion, someone that has just moved into the district who happens to be running for election in said district might just be a "ringer." I decided to check out the qualifications to file as a candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Oklahoma Election Board has a PDF available at their website that spells it out. Here's the requirements (emphasis mine):
To file as a candidate for the House of Representatives in any representative district, a person must have been a registered voter in such district and a resident residing within such district for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the filing period prescribed by law. . . . Any member of the House of Representatives whose district has been changed by redistricting may change residence with the intent of becoming qualified to seek reelection in such district in the first election applicable to such district following redistricting without thereby being deemed to have vacated his or her existing office. (14 O.S.Supp.2005, §108)The filing period for the State of Oklahoma is June 5-7, 2006. This means that a potential candidate MUST be a registered voter AND a resident of the district they're running in before December 5, 2005. I find it hard to believe that a potential candidate could truly represent his constituents if he or she has only lived in the district for 6 months, but it's the law. It took me a long time just to learn the "ins and outs" of my little neighborhood and the local issues that affected our daily lives.
Since my political power lunch on Tuesday, I've been tied up with real world issues and haven't had a chance to think much about State elections. On Thursday Tulsa Topics received some anonymous email ( I receive a bunch!) that proclaimed that one of the candidates may be questionable on the qualifications. Since I had to take my wife to work today, I decided to follow-up on this tip at the Tulsa County Election Board. I asked the clerk to verify that each potential candidate in SH District 69 was registered in this District. Here's the results:
Jeffrey A. Applekamp - Registered at current address November 2005I then verified that the candidates addresses were actually in SH District 69 by using my trusty program, MicroSoft Streets & Trips. All of the candidates appeared to be within the confines of the district boundaries. One detail on Applekamp's address that caused me to ponder was the fact it's in the brand new Wind River development. I recently went to the Builder's Dream Home tour at Wind River and there are some really nice homes. When I did the tour, I didn't remember seeing any occupied houses but then again I was touring the model homes and not paying much attention. The newness of the Wind River development made we want to dig a little deeper on how long Applekamp had lived there, so I decided to do a Tulsa County LRMIS search on the property at the library while I was checking in some overdue books.Lisa Renee Debolt - No recent activity
Darrell Lee Gwartney - Registered at current address March 2005
Sydney Fred Jordan - Registered at current address June 2004
Christopher Scott Medlock - No recent activity
The clerk at the Tulsa County Election Board explained that "no recent activity" meant there was no activity in a four year period.
A search of Applekamp's property in Wind River showed the deed date of 01/06. When I dug a little deeper, I was able to determine that the General Warranty Deed Instrument was dated 01/27/2006 and filed on 01/30/2006. It is my general understanding that a General Warranty Deed is issued when you close on a house, but since I'm not a real estate professional, I don't know for sure. I vaguely remember signing something at my house closing relating to a Warranty Deed, but that's been a few years ago. If Applekamp wasn't residing in the house BEFORE 12/05/2005, then he wouldn't meet the qualifications to run for SH District 69.
If Applekamp wasn't living in SH District 69, then where was he living? I decided to do a name search of the LRMIS records and received results indicating that Applekamp also has a residence in West Tulsa close to Page Belcher Golf Course in the Fairway Park AMD addition. This property is in SH District 68 NOT SH District 69. I would be interested in knowing exactly where Applekamp was residing on December 4th, 2005 and the constituents of SH District 69 should be too!
If I was a voter in SH District 69, I'd be looking closely at the candidates that have resided in the area for longer than 6 months. It's not that the other candidates would make a bad representative, but I personally believe knowing the "lay of the land" of the district you represent is a very important trait I'd be looking for when electing my representative. As Bill O' Reilly says, "What say you?"
Posted by Bobby on 
May 26, 2006 03:20 PM | 
Tulsa Oklahoma+State+House+District+69 SB1324 Jeff+Applekamp Lisa+Debolt Darrell+Gwartney Fred+Jordan Chris+Medlock Candidate+Qualifications
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Comments
Nice bit of background checking. I would dig a bit deeper when you have time. Not only residency qualifications, look for who are these folks, what associations & w/whom and financial standings. Can't know too much before you vote.
Unfortunately, most voters are not as well studied.
Congrat's on your efforts and concerns.
Posted by: blackfox | May 26, 2006 04:18 PM
So Applekamp registered to vote at his current home at least two months before he owned it and lived there. Not only may he not qualify for office, he may have broken a law by falsifying out his voter registration change form.
Posted by: Michael Bates | May 26, 2006 04:43 PM
I have general distaste for carpetbaggers.
Posted by: Steven Roemerman | May 26, 2006 11:20 PM
Given the close location of my house to Costa Azul ... I think I better go back and read this in the morning! Tonight ...at 2 am ..this isn't quite registering except as something that isn't quite ...um ...
Posted by: Pk | May 27, 2006 01:50 AM
Thank you for informing me of this concern posted on the blog site. As you are aware, the boundaries of our Oklahoma House Districts change every ten years with the census. As an example, prior to the last change, the southeast boundary for House District 68 was 71st Street and Union; the current southeast boundary is 91st and Peoria. With all the wonderful development and new home construction in south Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby and Glenpool, I'm sure we will see considerable changes within the boundaries of the Oklahoma House and Senate Districts with our next census. This activity is referred to as redistricting.
I would also like to take this opportunity to inform the concerned voters about me and my connection with Oklahoma House District 69. I announced my candidacy back in February and have been knocking doors and meeting constituents for over three months now. I have had hundreds of discussions with them about their concerns and interests, and the reasons I want to serve. However, throughout all the questions I have received, my residency wasn't among them. I have lived in south Tulsa for many years. While my previous home was located within the boundaries of House District 68, my family and I have been active within the boundaries of House District 69. My step-son, Tyler started school, kindergarten, at Jenks West Elementary. As you know, Jenks West Elementary at 91st and U.S. 75, is currently within the boundaries of House District 69 and was within the boundaries of House District 69 prior to the most recent redistricting. For the past two school years Tyler has attended classes at the middle school, and even though it is hard to believe, he will be attending the Freshman Academy this next school year. My wife, Laurie, has been tremendously active with Tyler's school and sporting activities over the years. She served as an officer on the PTAG for Jenks West Elementary during Tyler’s years there. Following the resignation of a Jenks School Board member, Laurie was nominated and interviewed to fill that vacant position. Laurie also served on the Jenks Public School Foundation for two years, 2001 - 2003. When I met Dr. Layman, his comment was, "How are you related to Laurie?"
As I'm sure you discovered while performing your research, the boundaries of House District 68 proceed northwest through Berry Hill and on into the Sand Springs area. Due to our close ties with the Jenks Public School, we are much more acquainted with the residents and activities of House District 69. I'm sure your research also revealed that House District 69 covers much of the Jenks School District boundaries. Sadly, it doesn't cover all of the school district; I have several friends, who live just across the street in many instances, who won't be able to vote for me. I am thankful so many of them are displaying my bumper stickers on their cars and encouraging their friends to vote for me.
Over the past six years I have also had a close working relationship with State Senator Nancy Riley. I'm sure you are aware that her senate district covers much of House Districts 69 and 68. Jerry Riley is my campaign manager and served in the same capacity for Fred Perry twelve years ago when he first won the seat.
A little over a year ago, Laurie and I decided to start house hunting for a larger home. Our first priority was to stay within the Jenks School District and keep Tyler in the school he had known all his life. As we were looking at new homes and developments, my friends started encouraging me to run for office since Fred Perry was term limited. After much discussion and prayer, Laurie and I decided we would enter the race. With this decision, our house hunting requirements were that we had to stay within the Jenks School District and within the boundaries of House District 69.
Last fall we decided on Wind River. We knew the house would not be ready until some time in January. Having worked in the government affairs arena for so many years, and being familiar with the legislation two years ago that moved up Oklahoma's Primary Election date, I knew I had to reside within the district before December 2005. For this reason, I decided to rent an apartment in November 2005, and make that my primary residence until moving into our new home.
My family and I have been blessed with many friends throughout the area. We have friends within the district that I have known and worked with for over 20 years. We have friends within the district from our connection with the Jenks School District. We have friends from our activities and sports associations with Tyler. I even have friends in the district that attended high school with me in Stigler. I am especially blessed that so many of our friends are volunteering and helping me in this race. For that reason, I am very proud of the fact that we made the decision to find a home within Oklahoma House District 69 and represent our friends.
Posted by: Jeff Applekamp | May 28, 2006 11:47 PM
Just FYI -- it's Berryhill, one word.
Posted by: julie | May 30, 2006 12:05 PM
Fred Jordan just registered because he went to school in Iowa, then Law School -- all on a JAG Scholarship for the MARINES!!!! After that he dedicated several years to defending and serving our country. His family has lived in Tulsa for years, and he has a great feel for the issues and the need in the 69th District. Fred Jordan is the only canidate worth looking at. Talk about dedication and service...it's in his blood!!
Posted by: Brian | June 13, 2006 09:42 AM
I am one of the "carpetbaggers" referenced on this site. Amazing how people leave out facts to their convenience putting their candidate in a more positive light. Just for the record, I have lived in Jenks well over a year since I retired. Would have been here sooner but my house did not sell for well over a year. Prior to that I lived in Jenks from 1986-92, and before that from 1965 to HS graduation in 1971, then taking off to OSU and coming home most weekends through 1974. I have a pretty good "lay of the land" because Jenks is my hometown, my parents have lived here since 1965, and my wife and my in-laws have lived here all their lives. Debbie and I moved our membership back to First Baptist Jenks over two years ago. Most of my friends live in Jenks so I think my ties over the years have kept me fairly close to the community. I know most of the school administrators and school board members personally. I hired many of the teachers when I was Director of Human Resouces for the school. You have seen me at most of the school activities for the past three years. I've enjoyed being back home and really don't feel like I ever left, having lived within twenty five miles. As for my opponents, I like each and every one of them. They have all been good to be around and more than gracious. Some of their ad references related to experience and families living in the district have been well done by their campaign consultants---a little over-stated in some cases, (as are some of the postings on this site) but well done. Voters have to decide whether to dig for details or accept what they see and read and hear and in some cases what they don't hear. I encourage you to check me out and contact me. My background and experience listed on my resume is real experience and clearly shows I am extremely capable of representing HD 69 from day one, particularly when it comes to education. I have spent months serving on a couple of, State Task Forces, not to mention days upon days lobbying for education in OKC. I know the process and think I can make a difference not only for HD 69, but the rest of the State as well.
As for Brian's comments about Fred's three years of service experience as a prosecuting attorney for the Marine JAG squad (not a combat soldier) I could not agree more. Great service. Public service is a great thing. That's why I spent 33 years in public education serving kids and parents. I'm well prepared to continue that service in the State legislature.
Contact me, I look forward to hearing from you. Gwartney4House@cox.net
Posted by: Darrell Gwartney | July 6, 2006 02:40 PM